Okay, Tiki Peeps, after much thought, consideration, and deliberation, I am thinking about reviving the Tiki Central San Francisco Bay Area Tiki Crawl. That is, if there is enough interest from you guys, because - frankly - it's a lot of work to plan out, and this year I'll pretty much be doing it all on my own.

If this happens, it will be sometime in October or November, before Thanksgiving Weekend. And if all goes well, then I will pick a permanent date for the Tiki Crawl, most likely in early to mid October, for consistency's sake. Plus, we usually have great weather in the San Francisco Bay Area during that time of year, our "Indian Summer".

I'm fairly certain that there will be lots of questions and comments, and I want to hear them. I'm sure the first question everyone has is "Will there be a bus?" If there is enough interest in the Tiki Crawl, and if there is enough interest in having a bus for one or more days, then yes, there will be a bus.

I'm also fairly certain that the next question will be "Will there be bands at the various Tiki Bars?" Well, the answer to that as of right now is probably not. Due to the economy, I've been feeling the economic squeeze, just like many of you out there have as well. And those of you that have ever put an event together already know that others want to (and some or most of them) actually profit off of your event at your expense and effort - it seems like the event organizer is the one that bears all the financial burden and responsibility while getting very little reward, or even going into the hole. I have no financial backing to put on the Tiki Crawl, and have little funds of my own as of now to invest in an event that will most likely not break even. So unless some bands want to generously play for free, or unless some generous benefactor wants to cover the cost of those bands, then there will most likely be no bands on this year's Tiki Crawl.

Speaking of generous benefactors, I would entertain the idea of having an investor or sponsor(s) that would help cover various costs of the Tiki Crawl. And they would have to be a SILENT investor. That means that they pretty much have no say in the planning and layout of the Tiki Crawl. That means that even if they or their best friend are a bartender at Elixer, Alembic, Gitane, Rickhouse, Rye, Bourbon and Branch, Flora, Mua, etc., or is the owner of the Hotsy Totsy Club, or works at a cool lowbrow art gallery, or has a really cool home bar, they will be able to accept the fact without question or debate that those places will not be on the Tiki Crawl. I don't want to speak for others, but I feel comfortable enough in saying that Hanford and I, along with others that have been seriously involved in the Tiki Crawl in the past - such as Mig and Martin - have a vision of what the Tiki Crawl should be, which is an event that benefits all of these cool tiki bars in the San Francisco Bay Area. And while those other bars are great bars, they simply aren't tiki bars - it's strange that I'd have to say that, but I have to say it again and again in virtually every conversation I have about the Tiki Crawl, so here it is in writing. Also, a potential silent investor would also have to accept the fact that the Tiki Crawl is a break even deal at best, so they won't be getting a return on their investment, let alone their investment. They will get glorious praise and accolades from me, and the unending gratitude from all of the Tiki Crawl attendees, too. Anyone interested in helping to silently finance the Tiki Crawl should contact me through PM or e-mail.

That being said, I do have an itinerary all mapped out, for the Tiki Crawl that was supposed to happen in 2010, until Trader Vic's Emeryville temporarily closed for remodeling. To be honest, that kind of threw the entire Tiki Crawl into a tail spin. And even though that location reopened a few months later, there was so much speculation about when they would actually make their target reopening date, and whether or not inspectors would green light or delay them, and if their liquor license would be up and running, etc., that it was too risky and then there wasn't enough time to plan an event like the Tiki Crawl based on uncertain contingencies. But I do have an itinerary, and it WAS a doozy - a Tiki Crawl Extravaganza to celebrate the 10th year of Tiki Central and the Tiki Crawl. Obviously I'm going to have to scale things back, and fine tuning and tweak the schedule a little because, well, a couple places have closed or burned down in the past year or so. But the basics are already pretty much all mapped out.

So, who's interested in the San Francisco Bay Area Tiki Crawl? Please post your comments here, both good and bad, both pros and cons, because I'd definitely like some feedback and input. Cheers,
-Mai Tai

I am interested in crawling as long as there is not a scheduling conflict with the other CA tiki events currently scheduled for the 1st two weekends of Oct and Nov, but I know you know about those already. Thanks Mai Tai!

I'm sure EVERYONE would like to see the return of the TIKI CRAWL no question about it. I agree with Tikitastic that October is booked up. I think November would be better. If the event has to be scaled down, so be it(No bus, no bands)
People may have to volunteer to be drivers. I will drive for the East Bay Day. Bring it on...........

No one needs to be a martyr here. If it's too stressful, why not pass it on to others to accomplish? Why not have a group of people organize it? If you have a bus then try to have folks reserve their spot by paying in advance? If there is not enough, then cancel the bus and give folks their money back. With an organizing group you can divide up the responsibilities. It could, for example, be someone's job; booking and dealing with the bus. I don't think the "silent Partner" idea is any fun. Why would anyone contribute in this fun event and then have no say in what happens? Those folks could be part of the group putting on the event. Also, the bars and restaurants will love the crowd and will help make the event happen if they are given the chance. Divide and conquer! Its about everyone having fun and everyone getting equal kuddos for a job well done.

I'll be glad to do those small task things. (i.e.: remind people to finish their drink because the bus will be leaving in 20 minutes, make name tags etc) ) I'm talking about creating an informal organization to throw the event every year!

I'm very definitely for the Crawl Redux...as long as it doesn't conflict with some of the events that many of us norcal and socal folks already have on our schedules... Some of us have already bought tickets for the Tikiyaki Show at Don's and Going Primitive...

There are so many things coming up that I've lost track...aren't the last two weekends in October still open?

No one is being a martyr here. It's just that I hear from a lot of people, including people in Vic's and my close circle of friends, that they don't necessarily like the Tiki Crawl, or that they think it's stale, or that they'd rather go to places like Alembic and Bourbon & Branch where they can get a "good" drink instead of the stuff served at some of those tiki bars on the crawl, or that they think Trad'r Sams, the Tonga Room, and a couple of other places should be removed from the Tiki Crawl due to poor drinks and surly service, and the list goes on... So I'm mainly posting this to see if a majority of the people feel like "Oh, same old Tiki Crawl, I'll pass", or if there is still genuine interest.

And I have no problem shouldering the responsibility of organizing the Tiki Crawl. I've worked on, or have organized, several crawls by now, so I kind of have everything down to a science for the most part. Some things take more time and effort than others, and some things I cannot due by myself (like needing "cat herders" to notify everyone to close out their tabs, then help herd them onto the bus in a timely fashion). In fact, I was forewarned by Martin when I first got involved in helping organize the Tiki Crawl that it's a lot of work, a lot that even Hanford doesn't realize, and it's pretty much a thankless job. And I'm totally cool with that - I enjoy putting something together that other people really enjoy, and sometimes their smiling faces are all the reward needed.

But if no one really wants to attend, and thinks it's just the "same old crawl", then I'd rather know that before I start doing all of the work to put this thing together. Maybe some old timers feel like they've been there, done that, but just like Tiki Oasis, there might be an overwhelming number of new peeps that want to experience the Tiki Crawl for the first time as well.

As for the silent investor(s), I'd prefer an investor to be silent, because Hanford and I have a really good idea of how we want the Tiki Crawl to be. And sometimes too many cooks can spoil the soup. When it was Hanford, Martin, and me organizing the Tiki Crawl, we were pretty much on EXACTLY the same page on how we wanted things done, but we still had minor squabbles and arguments, and I don't see that process becoming any easier taking on someone new in the organization process, especially when I pretty much have the itinerary all mapped out. So I think for the sake of my own piece of mind, I'd rather the investor be either be silent, or non-existent.

Lastly, I most definitely will not schedule the Tiki Crawl where it would interfere with any other upcoming events. I want to go to those events, too! Let's see, we have the South Bay Home Bar Crawl on the first weekend of October, and we have Tikiyaki at Don The BeachComber on November 5th. What other events are coming up, either up here in NorCal, or down in SoCal, or elsewhere? Let me know. Cheers,
-Mai Tai
P.S. - Tiki Tacos RULE!!!

I'd definitely like to go (I've wanted to go for a few years now, but have always missed it). Only thing is my first child is due on November 6th... gonna have to play that one by ear. Probably ain't gonna happen for me.

I agree with Mai Tai - the Tiki Crawl should only include actual tiki bars... although some of our Bay Area classic Tiki bars aren't up to snuff with their drinks, their history is reason enough to visit.

And, I agree that the Tiki Crawl should be only Tiki Bars...good or bad drinks don't matter -- it is called the TIKI crawl! If some one wants a classic cocktail then they should join one of the monthly SF Classic Cocktail Crawls aka Paul Crawl host by Paul "The Rum Runner" Cramer.

And, I agree that the Tiki Crawl should be only Tiki Bars...good or bad drinks don't matter -- it is called the TIKI crawl! If some one wants a classic cocktail then they should join one of the monthly SF Classic Cocktail Crawls aka Paul Crawl host by Paul "The Rum Runner" Cramer.

I 3rd that! There is way more to tiki then drinks. How could you not include the Tonga Room? It's historical, classic and - in my case- a family tradition. I have photos of my mom and aunts , in there big 70's hair do's, at the tonga room. I go to tiki events for the atmosphere thats created by the virtue of being in these places. I love sharing it with family and friends! I'll have a beer if I have to. As long as I get to laugh and joke with friends.

I would love another crawl, Mai Tai. I go to most of the bars on the crawl absent the crawl, but I'm always up for supporting local bars who keep the Tiki flame alive. Even if that means overly syrupy drinks and a surly reception by staff.

Quote:

On 2011-09-08 23:38, Tikitastic wrote:And, I agree that the Tiki Crawl should be only Tiki Bars...good or bad drinks don't matter -- it is called the TIKI crawl! If some one wants a classic cocktail then they should join one of the monthly SF Classic Cocktail Crawls aka Paul Crawl host by Paul "The Rum Runner" Cramer.